There is an interesting ongoing discussion in Hilary’s Answers blog on this Hexagram 44 under the topic of “Taking a woman”. Those who like to join in the discussion can do so by clicking onto “Answers” under the Links section. The following is my post in the discussion:
Yes, Ma Xia is right. Gou does mean sexual intercourse.
For a refreshing Daoist point of view on Hexagram 44, “A highly sexed female is to be avoided at all cost since the male’s sexual energy will be exhausted quickly and can lead to an early death.” That is according to my ‘coconut’ Daoist friend.
Hexagram 44 Gou comes immediately after Hexagram 1 Qian in the Piqua (twelve monthly hexagrams) sequence and it depicts the entrance of a yin line replacing the first yang line of Qian; therefore a warning in the judgment relating to this line.
The image of a bold girl who lightly surrenders herself does not speak well of her (similar to the third line of Hexagram 4) as compared to the girl depicted in Hexagram 31 Hsien / Influence where through mutual attraction the strong man takes a position inferior to that of the weak girl and shows consideration for her. Remember Gou talks about sexual intercourse whereas Hsien talks about courtship (and restrain on seduction). Therefore the favorable judgment in 31, ‘To take a maiden to wife brings good fortune’.
A comment on Hexagram 4 line 2. The line also depicts the firm son taking over the household from the compliant master of the household (Book III [W/B]). Therefore consideration has to be given to women in the household (Book I) just like his father did, as the Chinese like to have the whole family or extended family living under one roof, then and now.
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